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I live gratefullyWith thanks for family and friendsGratitude brings joy

The Flights Were Great!

I hope you had a joy-filled day of gratitude, too – on that day we call Thanksgiving here in the USA. We arrived safely (thanks to my niece, Jodie) at the Pittsburgh airport around 5: AM. Our flight to Minneapolis arrived on time, with no difficulties – and we had a nice breakfast in their lovely airport. The 6:15 AM flight to Bozeman was on time and encountered no problems.

Problems Began After Landing

The problems came after we landed in Bozeman, MT and Bob tried to find our car in long-term parking. He wandered in the wrong parking lot for a half hour before realizing the car was in the next lot over. By then, I knew he was in some kind of trouble as I stood in the warmth of the airport with our luggage waiting for him.

I prayed to God, “Please help Bob solve whatever trouble he has encountered.”

Prayer Works

About that same time, Bob reported later, he realized he had not sought God’s help, so he also prayed to find the car. That’s when God nudged him to go to the next parking lot over… and sure enough, there it was. BUT, it was covered in snow… and the snow had more than one layer during the time we were gone. The under-layer was iced on.

Be Prepared

Anyone who has lived through a winter in this part of the world, should know what to carry in the trunk of your car. An emergency kit needs to include a blanket or two, gloves, a hat or two, an ice/snow scraper, etc. Our trunk had a can of de-icer and a blanket, but none of the rest of those items. It took Bob 20 minutes to clear away enough of the ice and snow to make the car safe to drive.

Yes, we know what we need to add to our emergency supply to be prepared in the future!

Home Safely

It was snowing lightly as we began the 60 miles toward home, but it let up as we crossed over the mountain pass and followed the Madison River into Madison County and our valley. The roads were clear – and we praised God for a wonderful homecoming!

Family Greeted Us

At home, we were greeted by our son, his wife, two grand-daughters and their husbands, and two of our great-grandchildren. Happy Thanksgiving!! The smell of turkey assailed my nostrils when I opened the door – and hugs all around said, “Welcome Home!”

Hail, hail, the gang’s all here!

Xander, our great-grandson

Monika, our daughter-in-law, with Sienna, our great-granddaughter

Ty, our son, with TazE, our dog

I am grateful to our dear friends, Gail & Harold, who took care of TazE while we were gone.

Here’s our granddaughter, Hope, with Sienna

The smell of turkey roasting was so inviting!

The sweet potatoes are ready for the marshmallows

It was a wonderful meal… and great fellowship. I hope you had a great day, too.Now on to “Black Friday!”

Some call this “Black Friday” – a day when merchants encourage shoppersto come to their stores – big sales everywhere!

Only Thing Black

The only thing black about today for me is my coffee and the night sky! I am up early and enjoying some quiet time.

I hope yours is a Fabulous Friday with delicious coffee (or tea) to warm you inside, and a cozy home filled with love to warm you through and through.

Eternally Grateful

While my family is still asleep, I am up in my sanctuary, thanking God for:

answered prayers

a safe trip to Pennsylvania and back

the chance to see my sis in her new setting

the generosity of my niece, Jodie, and her husband, Bill

the gracious hospitality of the McSparrons in Kutztown, PA

the opportunity to participate in a bit of the life of Liam, our great-nephew

Liam’s big heart and wonderful work ethic

the love and care my niece, Jodie, gives to her family and my sis (her mom)

our son and his family who greeted us with love and a luscious Thanksgiving dinner when we returned home

I am thankful for the Lord. I am thankful for my friends’ sunrisesI am thankful for my sunrises, too. I am thankful for family … and for Santa … aren’t you?I am thankful for delicious food – both yours…… and mine!I am thankful for good wine,… and for generous, loving family members who treat us so fine!I am thankful for beautiful city scenes… and for our wide open spaces at home, so serene!I am thankful for this day, our safe flight, and another chance to live and love and serve our Lord.

Have a Very Happy Thanksgiving… a thoroughly wonderful Thursday!

See ya later!

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That adorable, messy, illogical, lovely family is YOURS!And it’s mine! And we are so fortunate, aren’t we?Not everyone is so blessed… so count your good fortune …And enjoy your time together. This day won’t come again!!

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Yesterday I promised I would send you a video of Liam and me playing at my sister’s Masonic Home. My niece, Jodie, recorded videos and took these pictures. Thanks, Jodie!

We had a “full house” of residents from the Masonic Home listening to our “concert.”I have videos so you can hear the residents singing along to “Home on the Range” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic” – but I can’t get the videos to load here. Sorry! You just gotta trust me, it was fun – and the residents really seemed to enjoy it. I know I did!

And today I said “Good-bye” for now to my sis, Sally. I’m glad I got a chance to see her in her new environment.

Now, as Thanksgiving approaches, we plan to celebrate with dinner out – and then our first opportunity to see a performance of Les Miserables! Thanks to Jodie & Bill… what a wonderful gift!

Have YOU had a chance to see that production?

This afternoon I am sitting and watching the birds find food here in Pennsylvania. I pray with God’s grace, tomorrow we will be looking for birds in our Montana snow. They won’t be these colorful ones… but we’ll be happy with whatever feathered friends we find.

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The Phipps Arboretum in Pittsburgh is an amazing place. We visited there with Jodie this morning. I took all kinds of pictures so I could share the experience with you. I hope you enjoy these amazing plants, decorated trees, and flowers.

Jodie & Bob in front of the Phipps Museum

One whole area in the museum was devoted to plants from Cuba. That area was very humid and warm.Another area was devoted to the North Pole Christmas theme.These reindeer were made out of sponges!The gigantic glass flowers in the next picture were created by Jason Gamrath, a student of glass artist, ChihulyTake a look at these unusual orchids. The sign said, “Transvaal.”I love the ruffly white orchids.

Jodie was fascinated by the spotted orchids.

“Wine spots” – interesting, huh?

Thanks for touring with us. I hope you enjoyed the flowers as much as we did!